content 23-May-2013 07:09:02

SRE-FA: Astrophysics and Fundamental Physics Missions
The Astrophysics and Fundamental Physics Missions Section (SRE-FA) is responsible for science missions in the fields of Astrophysics, Magnetospheric, Solar and Fundamental Physics which are under assessment as candidates for the Science Programme. SRE-FA also provides support to science missions in orbit or under development, and is responsible for planning longer term future mission developments in the science areas mentioned.

 SRE-FA has a number of key tasks:

  • Management of missions in assessment phase
  • Conducting Technology Reference Studies and supporting the definition of the corresponding Technology Development Plans
  • Development of specific payload related technologies and instruments required for future missions, in close co-operation with the Advanced Technologies Section SRE-FT
  • Providing technical support for payloads (including reviews of ESA missions)
  • Perform cost, risk and programmatic analysis for science payloads for missions in assessment or development phase
  • Developing payload cost models for future science instruments Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 activities with SRE-FA

SRE-FA is responsible for the assessment studies of numerous Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 mission candidates, providing the associated study managers (see Missions in Assessment Phase - link on left-hand menu). These studies are:

  • The International X-ray Observatory (IXO), formerly known as XEUS, an L-class candidate in cooperation with JAXA and NASA, representing the potential follow on mission to XMM-Newton.
  • Euclid, a dark universe observatory proposed as M-class candidate.
  • PLATO, Planetary Transit and Oscillations of Stars, M-class candidate.
  • SPICA, Space IR Telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics, a JAXA led mission to which ESA would contribute within and M-class envelope.

 

Completed Technology Reference Studies with SRE-FA (preparation to Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 activities):

  • Gamma Ray Lens
  • Wide Field Imager
  • Far IR Interferometer
  • Cosmic Microwave Polarisation Mapper
  • Fundamental Physics Explorer

 

Last Update: 26 March 2013

For further information please contact: SciTech.editorial@esa.int

See also

  • Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 (http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/area/index.cfm?fareaid=100)
  • IXO (Cosmic Vision) (http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/area/index.cfm?fareaid=103)
  • Euclid (Cosmic Vision) (http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/area/index.cfm?fareaid=102)
  • PLATO (Cosmic Vision) (http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/area/index.cfm?fareaid=104)
  • SPICA (Cosmic Vision) (http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/area/index.cfm?fareaid=105)
  • The Gamma-Ray Lens (http://sci.esa.int/jump.cfm?oid=36959)
  • Wide Field Imager (http://sci.esa.int/jump.cfm?oid=39692)
  • Far Infrared Interferometer (http://sci.esa.int/jump.cfm?oid=40090)
  • Cosmic Microwave Polarisation Mapper (http://sci.esa.int/jump.cfm?oid=42839)
  • Fundamental Physics Explorer (http://sci.esa.int/jump.cfm?oid=40836)
  • Exoplanet Spectroscopy Mission (ESM) (http://sci.esa.int/jump.cfm?oid=47037)